HONG KONG'S Faheem Khan completed a hat-trick at the East Asian Championships by winning his third straight individual squash title in Manila yesterday.
Khan, who powered his way in to the final with straight-game victories in the early rounds, wrapped up the men's crown without dropping a game by crushing Singapore's Peter Hill 9-1, 9-6, 9-1.
The former Pakistani national junior champion, who came to live and train in the territory almost five years ago, has now remained unbeaten at the East Asian event since he started representing Hong Kong in 1991.
Coach Chris Clark said: ''Faheem is undisputedly the best player in this tournament and his very convincing win over Peter today has boosted our confidence for the team event which starts on Monday.'' Hong Kong's party, however, was spoilt by Singaporean Mah Li Lian who beat the territory's Dawn Olsen 9-6, 9-5, 10-9 in the women's final.
It is the fourth time 28-year-old Olsen has been beaten in the title match, having lost her first final to teammate Teresa Brooke in 1983. She was beaten by Mah in the 1985 and 1989 finals.
''Dawn played well and put a lot of pressure on Mah, but she has not been playing regular squash because of a nagging back injury and her lack of match fitness told towards the end,'' said Clark.
